ELECTRIC cars can be parked and re-charged for free at a Bournemouth car park.

With a charging bay up and running at Richmond Gardens multi-storey and another on the way at the NCP car park, the town centre is embracing 21st century travel.

First user Neil Hutchinson can’t wait to see more electric cars join his MGF on the streets. As they need re-booting every 80 miles, the points being rolled out at Southampton’s West Quay and Hedge End will give drivers more freedom and hopefully encourage others to switch to electric.

Neil, from Wimborne, said: “They should really be seen as around town cars, ideal for little journeys anywhere in Bournemouth, Christchurch, East Dorset or Purbeck.

“This is the start of a network that’ll allow me to go further more comfortably. To be able to plug up and park is great news and will see owners from Southampton and London really think about coming to Bournemouth.”

Neil has just completed the inaugural Brighton to London RAC Future Vehicles Challenge, competing alongside 66 plus cars – proof that more manufacturers are embracing the technology, he says.

Neil, who finished second in his class, said: “It was a great day out and shows the world that these cars can be attractive and fun as well as green and clean. “Saving the environment’s good but I’m mainly interested in a car that performs properly and looks like a proper car.”

Cllr Michael Filer, Bournemouth’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said the council was committed to making it as easy as possible for drivers to charge up their cars.